Visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said on Thursday
that the Sino-Japanese friendship has reached an unprecedented high
level and is set to thrive in the new century.
"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the
Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. During the
past 30 years, the bilateral relationship has achieved full
development in all fields and has reached unprecedented levels,"
Tang said at a reception organized by Chinese embassy.
"Meanwhile, relationship between the two countries has also gone
through many difficulties. Thanks to efforts made by both sides,
the improvement of the Sino-Japanese ties has been gaining momentum
since last year," Tang said.
He said with the consecutive exchange of visits between leaders
of the two countries, the Sino-Japanese relationship returned to
the normal track and was newly defined as the mutual beneficial
ties based on common strategic interests.
Both sides should cherish and protect the fruits and good
situation of the Sino-Japanese ties since they were not easily
achieved, and should firmly believe at all time that the
Sino-Japanese friendship is on an irreversible course and is in
accord with historic trends, Tang said.
Since the development of the Sino-Japanese friendly and
cooperative relations is in line with interests of both, China and
Japan should prudently deal with old and new problems in order to
keep them from affecting the overall situation of the bilateral
ties, the state councilor said.
Tang stressed that China and Japan are facing expanding common
interests and opportunities, as well as more common challenges in
the new era. "With the two countries joining hands to deal with
challenges and share opportunities, the Sino-Japanese friendship is
set to further thrive in the 21st century," he added.
The state councilor arrived in Tokyo later Wednesday for a
four-day visit at the invitation of the Japanese government.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)
